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Hitzfeld facing ban for gestures

The former Bayern Munich tactician was left frustrated following his team's inability to hold on to a one-goal lead in their World Cup qualifier in Berne, a match which saw several refereeing decisions go against them.

"There were a lot of emotions during the game," Hitzfeld told Swiss publication Blick.

"I'm sorry for the gesture. I was just p****d off at not being able to take home three points.

"It's always difficult to play against 12 men (in direct reference to Spanish referee Fernandez Borbalan)."

However, it is still unclear whether UEFA will opt for a sympathetic stance in wake of Hitzfeld's apology for his misdemeanour after it handed Montpellier coach Rene Girard a one-game ban for raising his finger to opposite number Huub Stevens during their Champions League clash against Schalke on October 3.

Girard then claimed Stevens had provoked a response in the 2-2 draw in Gelsenkirchen.

A suspension of any length would result in the 63-year-old missing Tuesday's upcoming fixture away to Iceland.